2006 Progress Prepares Greenway for 2007

After coming off of the most progressive year for the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway in 2005, preparations in 2006 were made for an even more productive year to come in 2007.

Topping the list of events in 2006 for the linear park was the announcement of receiving a $495, 987 enhancement grant from the State of Tennessee for Phase III. Currently the greenway is nearly two full miles beginning at Raider Drive and ending at 20^th Street. Phase III, which was announced by Governor Phil Bredesen’s office in early August, will extend the greenway southward from 20^th Street to Willow Street. The phase will incorporate two bridge underpasses and one pedestrian bridge over Mouse Creek. Construction is expected to begin in April.

Another significant piece of progress on the greenway in 2006 included the inauguration of a downtown connector. The 3.6 mile path that follows the existing downtown sidewalk system incorporates such sites as the courthouse square, Johnston Park, several downtown churches and historic homes, Lee University and Schimmels Park. The route is marked with greenway logos and can be viewed on the greenway Web site at www.cbcgreenway.com.

Other highlights from 2006 include:

• Installation of a connector from the greenway to the Church of God Prayer Plaza on the Church of God campus;
• Installation of lights by Cleveland Utilities under the Keith Street and 25^th Street bridges;
• Installation of “doggie bags” for removal of dog droppings;
• Awarding of a $50,000 grant for completion of a portion of Phase IV from Paul Huff Parkway to City School property;
• Dedication of an entrance portal to commemorate the centennial of Rotary International by the Cleveland Rotary Club on June 18 at Willow Street, the terminus of Phase III;
• A visit by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen on October 10 to view the completion of Phase II and to be thanked in person by Greenway Board for the awarding of funding for Phase III;
• Completion of an underpass at the new Mouse Creek Road bridge currently under construction near the intersection of Mouse Creek and Mimosa.

Speaking of progress on the Greenway, board chairman Cameron Fisher stated, “When Phase II was completed in the summer of 2005 it was a great advance forward. But the pieces that came together in 2006 have set the stage for 2007 to be the most progressive and exciting year by far for the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway.”